Roger
Roger is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Famous spear or renowned warrior.
Origin and history
Roger is a traditional male name derived from the Germanic elements meaning famous spear. It was introduced to England by the Normans and became one of the most common masculine names during the Middle Ages. In the United States, Roger peaked in popularity during the mid-20th century and remains a classic, recognizable name today.
Popularity in the United States
442,142 babies in the United States have been named Roger since 1880. It ranks #74 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #710.
States where it is most popular
- OH (6.5 %)
- CA (6.2 %)
- NY (6 %)
- IL (5.7 %)
- MI (5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 342 |
| 1890-1900 | 607 |
| 1900-1910 | 928 |
| 1910-1920 | 8,408 |
| 1920-1930 | 21,753 |
| 1930-1940 | 49,615 |
| 1940-1950 | 107,602 |
| 1950-1960 | 110,158 |
| 1960-1970 | 71,440 |
| 1970-1980 | 29,714 |
| 1980-1990 | 17,999 |
| 1990-2000 | 10,654 |
| 2000-2010 | 6,360 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,475 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,087 |
Famous people named Roger
- Roger Federer: Tennis Player, Athlete
- Roger Moore: Actor
- Roger Ebert: Film Critic, Author
Nicknames
Rog, Rodge
Fun facts
- The Normans brought the name to England in the 11th century, replacing its Old English cognate Hroðgar.
- 'Roger' was famously used in early radiotelephony as the word for the letter R, leading to the phrase 'Roger that'.